Life~

I always say Life is what you make of it and I do believe this to be true. I know from personal experience that when I am in a good mood and thinking positively better things happen to me. I also know when I am having a down day and I start dwelling on the annoyances of life, my day never seems to go smoothly. It does not have to be anything major, something as small as looking for a specific spoon that I can't find or I pick up a pile of papers and they fall all over the place. Some days are easier to get through being positive and other days circumstances around us seem to make it harder. Are those circumstances to blame for my mood digression...No! They shouldn't be, I have worked very hard towards a balanced life and when "life" gets in my way my goal is to learn how to change those circumstances into positives. Sometimes, I need to remind myself that it is ok to be sad or angry, those are real human feelings and it would be unhealthy if I did not feel that way from time to time. This past week has been a true test of my emotions and sometimes I find myself asking why are all these things happening at once and to the ones I love?? I want to help, I want to comfort and make everything be ok but first I need to take care of myself and make sure I am ok. This is my life and it is what I make of it, I have learned over time that it just goes better when I am in a healthy state of mind.

Cake Mania

This winter I decided to teach myself how to decorate cake with Fondant.  I took a Wilton class to learn the basic buttercream decorating and flowers and such.  But I really wanted to get a handle on fondant, it seems to be all the craze on TV these days and I want to know first hand what it is like.  So, I started reading tons online, got a few books and went crazy.  My family has not had this many cakes EVER!  I cannot believe how much fun I have had with it and the opportunity to be creative that I can share with others is awesome. It really has been so fun.  Here are a few of the ones I did...The most recent cake I did was for my Niece's 16th Birthday....

I am not a professional by all means, I did not make my first fondant cake until just this past February.  I thought it came out pretty good and I'm pretty sure she liked it too.  So here's the cake..

Last month I decided to try my hand at making a purse cake....

This one I made for my mom's 60th...

I am now thinking of what I can do next, I need some inspiration.....

I'm Poptart-isized

Have you seen the Pop-Tart commercials?  I am not one to get caught up in marketing schemes but seriously, I have not even thought of Pop Tarts in twenty years and now I just want to EAT them!  I found myself in the Pop Tart aisle at the store and next thing I knew there were 2 boxes of Pop Tarts in my cart...?  WHAT?  I do NOT eat Pop Tarts.  It's the commercials, I am Poptartisized!  They subliminally walked me to that aisle and in my subconscious state I put Blueberry and Hot Fudge Sundae Pop Tarts in my cart.  I became a victim of smart marketing, I can only imagine what the mom's have to deal with after their children see those commercials.  The Pop Tart people live in a beautiful Pop Tart world, in cool Pop Tart houses in their beautiful Pop Tart neighborhood.  They are all dancing around and life is just perfect.  I bet it smells so good there...

Holy Cat!

I brought home a Ragdoll Kitten back in March. She is now just 4 months old. Ragdoll cats are known for their docile behavior and dog like personality, they are also known for their gentle nature and non-hunting instincts. Which is why I chose this breed, having birds I wanted harmony between all. Ok, well so far the harmony part is not quite the case. She is very curious about my birds and at first it was almost unbearable, throwing herself at the cages. We have to lock her up anytime we are not able to watch her to make sure she doesn't "attack". I don't think she would actually hurt them but play with them "roughly" as if a toy. I am using the squirt bottle training method which I believe she thinks is a game. And now I really believe that to be true, this cat is crazy! I have been bringing her in the bathroom with me when I shower so I know she is safe, well she loves the shower! I have never had a cat act this way but she has decided that is her shower time too. She is so silly she jumps in and out of the shower with me! lol, no wonder she thinks the squirt bottle is a fun game. Here is a picture of Zoey in her favorite place to rest - my centerpiece...Awww, I love my kitty!

My Magazine Debut~

This past winter when it was so freezing cold, with mounds of snow all over the place, I received my January issue of Coastal Living. I love this magazine! It always takes me to another place, a place I one day hope to have my home....On the COAST! Living in the Midwest has been lovely but my heart is near the water (salt water) and every chance I get I make my way towards the coast. Last summer I was lucky enough to go sailing in the British Virgin Islands, living on the water for 10 days is amazing and the memories will last a lifetime. So back to my Coastal Living magazine...they were asking for beach vacation photos, so I starting going through my thousands of pictures. I decided to submit one of them and guess what?? Coastal Living loved it and advised me they will be putting it in their May issue...YAY! So, here's my magazine debut! lol!